'Adventurous' sex is to blame for a big rise in the number of sex-related injuries, according to one expert.

Osteopath Stephen Makinde said 80 per cent of non-sporting injuries he now treats are sustained during during sex.

The clinical director of the Perfect Balance clinic in London said the proportion of bedroom-related injuries has quadrupled In the the space of just five years.

But many patients are too ashamed to admit how they hurt themselves, meaning doctors cannot treat them properly.

He told the Daily Mirror : "We've noticed a real increase in sex-related injuries. It used to be that injuries associated with sexual activity used to account for a small percentage of the non-sporting cases we treated - around 20 per cent.

"But in the last five years that's now increased to around 80 per cent. It's a significant jump, and quite surprising."

He said while most patients are men in their mid-50s, medics do treat a large number of women as well.

The number of injuries is going up (Image: Getty)

The 37-year-old said: "When it comes to sex, we see everything from neck injuries to wrist fractures, ankle sprains and, of course, back problems.

"Hernias are common, too, close to where the adductor muscles of the pelvic region become strained.